Beacon's Tree Advisory Committee Responds to Question Of Tree Management Plan

A Little Beacon Blog reached out to the City of Beacon’s Tree Advisory Committee Chair, Andrew (Andy) Bell with the following question: “Has the Tree Advisory Committee made recommendations to Mayor Lee Kyriacou or past City Administrator Chris White or current City Administrator Ben Swanson about tree management solutions? Such as regularly pruning tree branches that look diseased or weak?”

On July 30th, a large tree branch fell onto Beekman Street; more branches fell two weeks later in Memorial Park, with more still after Sunday’s high-wind rain storm. Dead branches remain in several trees. In the video published here, the small tree branch that fell on the Memorial Park hill fell onto what looks like freshly mowed grass. Hope the Highway Department guy on the mower isn’t under more trees with actively falling branches. Usually the fall season means leaf foliage, but it’s looking like full branch coverage in Beacon.

Andy responded to ALBB that on August 11, 2026, the City of Beacon applied for a grant that if received, could lead to a management plan. However, the grant eligibility requirements state that tree maintenance and planning are ineligible for use of the grant funds if awarded.

On Monday, Andy told ALBB: “The City has applied for a grant Urban and Community Forestry Tree Inventory - Round 17 UCF 2026 to do a tree inventory which will include a tree management plan. We submitted our application on 8/11 and hope to hear word later in the fall if we were successful in or bid.

“If so, and we're optimistic, this will give updated maps and information on approximately 2,800 trees in the public right of way throughout the city (street trees, park trees, etc.) and basic information on species, size, visual health assessment, canopy cover and other data. That will be used to create a management plan, including maintenance, new plantings, and removals when necessary. There will be a public outreach component as we build that plan and look forward to engaging with residents to let us know what they would like and any ideas they have for their street and park trees.”

On page 25 of the Bid Document / Request For Applications, guidelines state: “Funds cannot be used for real property (land) acquisition; maintenance of individual trees; or trail planning, design and construction. Costs considered ‘maintenance’ of tree after the commissioning period are not eligible.”

The question remains: what is the City of Beacon’s plan and budget for preventative measures for the increasing amount of large tree branches falling in Beacon on City owned and maintained property? Some of the large trees that have been falling, like this one along Matteawan Road in March of last year (2025) and the two removed this year near the track, may be on Beacon City of School District property. ALBB reached out to the District for confirmation, but has received no response yet.